Trying to find herself, she never felt so lost. Waking up in a strange place is a nightmare, especially when you’re being held against your will. Now Aubrey Elliott must find her way home, wherever that is. Previously… It became apparent that Gabby had lost her memory and Aubrey saw her chance to learn more about her captors. Meanwhile, the death of a crewmember was confirmed.

Episode 13 – Miles’ Secret

Back in the stateroom, Miles scrambled to create comfortable accommodations for Aubrey. This was no small feat, considering the mess created by the storm and running aground. He surveyed the bed but decided the slant caused by damage to the frame unwieldy for someone with an injury. He finally decided the sofa would do nicely, once he placed practically every pillow the ship had upon it. Miles eased Aubrey down onto the plush nest he made and felt a twinge of sympathy as she winced in pain. It had been some time since he had allowed himself to feel any sort of compassion for another human being, and the sensation both warmed and unnerved him. Without really thinking, he took a seat at the foot of the sofa.

Miles sat silently for a few minutes, unsure of what to say, or whether he even wanted to say anything. More exhausted than she had ever been, Aubrey said nothing herself. Though the events of the day had made them both somewhat disheveled, Miles couldn’t help but notice that she was quite beautiful. A dangerous thought, he knew. She was claimed by a man more volatile than any he had ever encountered. Still, there was something about her he couldn’t ignore.

Furrowing his brow before answering, the first mate replied, “You’re hurt. I needed to make sure you got back okay.”

If Aubrey weren’t so tired, she would have been amused at his literal interpretation of her question. Instead, she simply clarified, “No, on the Eloise. I know you’re not like John, so why are you working for him?”

“You need your rest. Now is no time for complicated questions.” Miles would have left it at that, but Aubrey’s impatient stare made him continue. “We’re all here for one reason or another. Most owe the captain a debt, others are on the run, and then others, like me, are here under duress. At least, I was.”

“Under duress? How?”

Miles sighed and rubbed his face with both hands, trying to decide whether to tell Aubrey what she wanted to know. Perhaps it was the stress of all that had happened the past few days, or perhaps he finally grew tired of playing his cards so close to the chest, but he decided to let Aubrey in on his secret. “John, I mean, the captain enlisted my services by taking my father as a hostage. I’d met him only briefly by chance, really, but when I turned down his offer of employment, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He seemed to think there was some sort of deep friendship there, though he had a strange way of showing it. I took on the job in return for my father’s freedom. Unfortunately, he died some time ago, but by then, I didn’t really have anywhere else to go. My association with the captain has made me something of a wanted man.”